GAGAN, Isser Troy M.

READING & WRITING

ZAPANTA, Richard Alvin RESEARCH OUTLINE

Effects of Multiplayer Online Games on Young People

Thesis Statement: With a vast number of individuals engaging in digital games for entertainment,
Multiplayer online games have greatly influenced young peoples physical, social, and psychological
aspects.

Outline
I. Introduction
A. Definition
1) Multiplayer online games are video games that allow a large number of players to interact and participate
simultaneously over the internet or another computer network.
2) The physical aspect is the state of the human body as opposed to the mind.
3) The social aspect is concerned about how an individual interacts with other people in the society.
4) The psychological aspect is concerned about the mental state and the ability on how an individual think.
B. History
1) Multiplayer online games are video games that allow a large number of players to interact and participate
simultaneously over the internet or another computer network.
a) Spans many genres such as first-person shooters, strategy games and massively multiplayer online role-
playing games (MMORPG).
b) Mostly played in platforms such as computers, mobile phones, and video game consoles.
c) Multiplayer online games are usually virtual worlds that connects people all around the world to compete
with each other.
2) The physical aspect is the state of the human body as opposed to the mind.
a) The actions and activities done by an individual affects his bodily condition.
b) Playing video games for longer periods of time can negatively affect the eyes and also, lack of exercise
due to video games addiction is also bad for the physical health.
c) Playing video games can improve motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and help diminish physical
pain.
3) The social aspect is concerned about how an individual interacts with other people in the society.
a) Some multiplayer online games typically encourage interactions between players.
b) Individuals seldom interact with people in the real world and would prefer playing in the virtual world.
c) Prosocial multiplayer games help develop positive social behaviour.
4) The psychological aspect is concerned about the mental state and how an individual thinks.
a) Games have an impact on how an individual thinks and feels when playing them.
b) Addiction in online games is associated with adjustment problems such as poor academic performance
and aggressive attitudes and behaviours.
c) Playing games can help relieve stress.
II. Body
A. Review of Related Literature
 1. Due to the long hours of playing, numerous health problems may be acquired such as eye or carpel
[carpal] tunnel syndrome, poor postures and severe stress on joints and nerves (Galvez, 2012).
2. Video games also increase hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and spatial reasoning (Tumbokon,
2014).
3. Kids tend to become socially active, as they interact and play with complete strangers online and it helps
them in their social life (Karm, 2014).
4. Computer games may satisfy the natural needs met in social interactions and will lead to social isolation
and this isolation and loneliness may cause reduction in individual social interactions with others and will
finally reduce the individual's social skills (Zamani & Kheradmand, 2010).
5. MMORPGs have been criticized for hampering academic and job performance (Craton, 2011).
6. Playing can actually produce an analgesic (pain-killing) response in our higher cortical systems (15
Surprising, 2015).

B. Answer to RQ
1. Based on evidence, it is seen that although multiplayer online games can help improve hand-eye
coordination and motor skills, it can still have negative effects on the body such as carpal tunnel
syndrome, poor posture, and poor eyesight.
2. Based on findings, even though multiplayer online games help improve young peoples social skills, they
are isolated from social interaction in the real world.
3. Based on studies, multiplayer online games can hamper academic performance because of students being
unable to focus on their studies. A positive effect of multiplayer online games is that it can help diminish
pain felt by an individual by distracting the mind.

III. Conclusion and Recommendation

This research highlights both the positive and negative effects of multiplayer online games on the
physical, psychological, social aspect of young people. As multiplayer online games, specifically,
shooting games help in improving hand-eye coordination, it can still have various of negative effects to
the body such as poor eyesight and poor posture which can lead to other problems. And even though
multiplayer online games help improve the social skills of individuals because of social interaction within
the game, the players tend to isolate themselves from the real world and not socialize with other people
outside the game. Multiplayer online games addiction can greatly affect students academic performance
because they tend to allocate most of their time in playing online games than doing school works and
studying. On the other hand, multiplayer online games can help in mitigating pain by distracting the mind
of the individual. In all, multiplayer online games have an impact to an individuals well-being.
 The researchers recommend that in future research, most of the references should be gathered from
organizational and educational sites. In addition, references should be research journals.
 References:

15 Surprising benefits of playing video games. (2015). Mental Floss. Retrieved from

http://mentalfloss.com/article/65008/15-surprising-benefits-playing-video-games

Craton, J. (2011). The effect of videogames on student achievement. Association for Christians in Student

Development. Retrieved from

http://www.acsd.org/article/the-effect-of-videogames-on-student-achievement/

Dai, D., & Fry, A. (2014). Effect of video games on child development. Developmental Psychology at

Vanderbilt. Retrieved from

https://my.vanderbilt.edu/developmentalpsychologyblog/2014/04/effect-of-video-games-on-child-

development/

Galvez, J. D. (2012). Advantages and disadvantages of multiplayer online games. EzineArticles.

Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Multiplayer-Online-

Games&id=7374686

Karm, V. (2014). Online gaming - advantages, disadvantages, threats and their solutions. Bezinga.

Retrieved from http://www.benzinga.com/14/09/4883412/online-gaming-advantages-

disadvantages-threats-and-their-solutions

Miles, C. (2015). Advantages and disadvantages of gaming online. Earth Preservers. Retrieved from

http://www.earthpreservers.com/door-and-window/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-gaming-

online/
Ong, A. (2013). What are the benefits of playing online games for children?. Positive Parenting

Connection. Retrieved from http://www.positiveparentingconnection.net/what-are-the-benefits-

of-playing-online-games-for-children/

Tumbokon, C. (2014). The positive and negative effects of video games. Raise Smart Kid. Retrieved from

http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/34-the-good-and-bad-effects-of-video-

games

Zamani, E., & Kheradmand, A. (2010) Comparing the social skills of students addicted to computer

games with normal students. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905509/